Extension of Comment Period on Draft Supplemental Information Regarding the Recovery Plan for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos horribilis)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Extension of Comment Period on Draft Supplemental Information

Regarding the Recovery Plan for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos

horribilis)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice: extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service provides notice that the comment

period is being extended for commenting on draft supplemental

information to the recovery plan for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos

horribilis). All interested parties that have not done so are invited

to submit comments on this information.

DATES: Comments on the draft supplemental information must be received

on or before December 1, 1997, to ensure they receive consideration by

the Service.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials regarding this information

should be sent to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator. U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, University Hall, Room 309, University of Montana,

Missoula, MT 59812.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator (see

ADDRESSES above), at telephone (406) 243-4903.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) as

amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Service approved the revised

Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan on September 10, 1993. In May 1994 The Fund

For Animals, Inc., and 22 other organizations and individuals filed

suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia over the

adequacy of the Plan approved in 1993. Later in May 1994 the National

Audubon Society and 19 other organizations and individuals also filed

suit in the same court. The two cases were eventually consolidated. In

September 1995 the court issued an opinion. The motions for summary

judgment of both the plaintiffs and the defendants were granted in part

and denied in part. The court ordered the Service to reconsider certain

portions of the Plan, and to provide supplemental information. The

information presented in the document being made available for review

includes supplemental information that the Service was to provide and

the results of its reconsideration.

Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, requires that public

notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided

during recovery plan development. The Service will consider all

information presented during a public comment period prior to approval

of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal

agencies also will take these comments into account in the course of

implementing approved recovery plans.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments on the supplemental

information described above. All comments received by December 1, 1997,

will be considered prior to finalization of the information.

Appropriate portions of the information will be appended to, and become

part of, the Plan.

Authority

The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered

Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: October 29, 1997.

Terry T. Terrell,

Deputy Regional Director, Denver, CO.

[FR Doc. 97-29240 Filed 11-4-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-M